GB2573019A

GB2573019A - Systems

Info

Publication number: GB2573019A
Application number: GB1806508.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Korn Michael; Murrell Alan; Clarke Phil
Original assignee: Korn Wall Ltd
Current assignee: Korn Wall Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-20
Filing date: 2018-04-20
Publication date: 2019-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-20
Also published as: WO2019201948A1; US20210100377A1; US11607061B2; CN112469314A; GB201806508D0; EP3780999A1; JP2021522030A; GB2573019B

Abstract

A system comprises a panel structure, such as a screen, wall, divider or partition, that can be rolled 1 and unrolled 2. The structure comprises a back face 47 and a front face 48. The front face is at least partly formed of an array of strips 40 that are separate from each other and that move apart to allow the panel structure to be rolled up. The back face forms hinges that connect the strips together and that flex to allow the strips to move apart when the structure is rolled up. Also disclosed is split tube extendable member (STEM) that comprises at least one coilable STEM. Each coilable STEM has a central axis and can be extended and retracted along an axis by uncoiling and coiling the STEM. The STEM has an end that forms a leading end when uncoiled. When unextended/uncoiled, the STEM has a concave side and a convex side. The STEM further comprises a handle that is attached to the convex side by one or more connections. The coiling action of the leading end of the STEM when retracted biases the handle towards the rest of the coiled STEM.

Description

The present application relates to retractable structures and especially to a retractable screen/wall/divider/partition which can be extended from a rolled-up state to an extended state and retracted from the extended state into the rolled-up state again. The structure can incorporate one or more split tube extendable members (STEM) to allow it to maintain its extended state while also allowing it to be rolled around itself into a cylindrical shape, e.g. for storage. As well as holding the structure rigid when extended, STEMs can be attached to vertical rods in the structure in such a way as to assist with closing them off, so that the cylindrical structure remains in its coiled orientation. This rod attachment could be used to create a self-closing handle for a screen structure that uses STEMs to create a frame for a screen to be inserted into.

Currently the Bi-stable Reeled Composite (BRC) material technology as described in WO 97/35706 “an extendable member”, and WO 88/08620 “an elongate hollow element”, is manufactured by Korn Wall Ltd for use in the KwickScreen™ product, as per WO 2010/109247 “Screens” and EP3251562 “Retractable screen” US20170325605A1 Methods for improving straightness in the vertical plane of retractable screen partitions. The BRC technology allows a rigid hollow split tube extendable member (STEM) to roll up on itself to change from a rolled up state (1) to an extended state (2). This is shown in FIG. 1.

EP3251562 discloses a rollable screen supported on a frame, the top and bottom of which are formed of STEMs; one side of the frame is formed by a housing and the other side by an elongated vertical handle. The screen can be retracted by rolling it and the STEMs up within the housing. In one embodiment, in order to improve the straightness of the screen which is typically made of a stiff polymer such as polyester, a small number of thin rigid rods that are widely spaced apart are connected to the inside face of the screen to keep the STEMs parallel. EP3251562 states that these rods should not be attached to the STEMs since they would then interfere with the rolling up of the STEMs. EP3251562 also shows the benefits of having clamps attached to STEMS to enable a handle to be incorporated into the design of a screen. These clamps are all shown to fix the orientation of the STEM as either being coiled or flat. Historically, fixed clamps have been used which either hold the STEM in a ‘C’ shape which prevents the STEM from fully coiling, or held in a fixed flat-open state which assists the STEM in forced closing but results in a complex shape for an inner screen to be inserted into which creates the risk of the inner screen deforming and wrinkling or creasing. Ideally the frame for the inner screen would be consistent and rectangular in shape.

Other known arrangements include those described in: EP1594384, US2007193705, US5819835, US5875597, and DE202011109665.

There is a growing demand for flexibility in open plan offices and learning environments in order to create spaces for concentrated working or meetings or exhibiting banners. Many of the known portable walls, some of which have been described above, are either bulky and heavy, thin and flimsy, or are complicated making them expensive, unattractive or impractical to be used and deployed quickly and/or frequently.

The present disclosure seeks to address or at least ameliorate the problems associated with the prior art.

The present disclosure seeks to provide a portable wall, for example one with acoustic properties, that is easy to install and dismantle and is flexible and easy to store. This can be useful in many such environments, especially if it were to be intuitive and easy to be used by the inhabitants of the space, e.g. students in a common room, workers in an open plan office building, salespeople at an exhibition booth.

With the rise of social media and ability for the public to live stream footage of what they can video in their smart phone, the present disclosure can also seek to provide a portable privacy structure, screen I wall I divider I partition that can be can used outdoors by emergency services for shielding patients during incidents in view of the public e.g. a seriously injured football player in view of fans. Deployable walls of the type described may also be used in public gatherings for example to delineate space for paramedics to work without being trampled by crowds, e.g. if someone collapses during a busy street festival or during a marathon on a busy route. The same or a similar arrangement when printed, would be beneficial for example for use at indoor or outdoor exhibitions.

The disclosure describes attaching materials to the central region of the convex side of the STEM in such a way as to not inhibit the STEM from rolling or unrolling and use the structural/functional benefits that comes from the transition in state.

The present application also describes new methods of attaching a handle to a STEM to sufficiently hold the two together and in such a way as to allow the STEM the freedom to change from a curved to a flat state, which introduces a beneficial forced (‘snap’) closing feature when the handle is fully retracted towards the structure and also creates a neat rectangular frame for an inner screen to be inserted.

Also disclosed is a variety of new structures of which Figure 38 is just one example, which is made (the reference numerals provided for clarity but not limiting the disclosure in any way) from a solid board material (41) which is partially cut, so that the front face (48) is cut and the core section is partially cut so that the back face (47) becomes a hinge about which the board material can become rollable. Ideally this structure is supported by STEMs (3) along their central region to both provide rigidity when extended and also support it in a cylindrical shape when retracted.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a system comprising a retractable panel structure, for example a screen/wall/divider/partition that can be rolled up and that can be unrolled, wherein the planar structure comprises a back face and a front face that are spaced-apart from each other and wherein the front face is at least partly formed of an array of strips that are separate from each other and that move apart to allow the panel structure to be rolled up and wherein the back face forms hinges that connect the strips together and that are capable of flexing to allow the said strips to move apart when the sheet is rolled up.

Optionally, when the sheet is unrolled, the strips of each pair of adjacent strips abut against each other or are separated by a space that is less than or equal to twice the width of the wider of the strips.

Optionally, when the sheet is unrolled, adjacent strips abut against each other or are separated by a space that is less than or equal to the width of the wider of the pair of adjacent strips.

Optionally, the structure is formed of a front face sheet and a back face sheet and cells or a less dense material spacing the face sheets apart.

Optionally, the strips are formed by scoring or severing or routing the front face.

Optionally, the structure has a thickness of 0.1 to 25mm, e.g. 1 to 15mm, such as 3 to 10mm.

Optionally, the strips each have a width of 0.5 to 100mm, e.g. 1 to 50mm, such as 2 to 5mm or 10 to 40mm.

Optionally, the space between each pair of adjacent strips is generally less than or equal to 100mm, e.g. less than or equal to 50mm such as less than or equal to 10mm.

Optionally, the system includes a support that is configured to support the structure in its unrolled configuration.

Optionally, the support comprises at least one STEM that is capable of being extended along an axis by uncoiling the STEM and of being retracted back along the same axis by coiling the STEM, and wherein the structure is supported on the at least one STEM by an attachment that causes the structure to be rolled-up and unrolled as the at least one STEM is coiled and uncoiled.

Optionally, the at least one STEM is located adjacent to the back face of the structure, and optionally is attached to the back face.

Optionally, the at least one STEM is located adjacent to a region of the back face of the structure and wherein the back face includes slits in the said region that are in line with the separation between the strips in the front face to allow the back face to expand in the said region when the STEM and the structure are coiled together while at least one other region of the structure forms the said hinges about which the strips can flex when the STEM and the structure are coiled together.

Optionally, the at least one STEM, when extended, has a concave side and a convex side and wherein the structure is attached to the central region of the convex side of the STEM, e.g. to the central axis of the STEM or to the region adjacent to the central axis, for example by adhesive, welding, stitches, rivets, eyelets or by a breakable attachment such as a hook-andloop connection.

Optionally, the support comprises at least two STEMs that are spaced apart from each other and are extendible along parallel axes and wherein the structure is supported by said at least two STEMs.

Optionally, the STEM is configured to be uncoiled horizontally, upwards or downwards, including obliquely upwards or downwards or curved inwards or outwards.

Optionally, the support includes a housing supporting the at least one STEM, a rotatable spool within the housing and wherein the structure can be rolled up on the spool.

Optionally, the spool includes a bottom plate that is configured to support the structure when wound on the spool.

Optionally, the system includes a spring acting on the spool to assist in the rolling up of the structure.

Optionally, the support includes a handle supporting an end of the at least one STEM remote from the housing.

Optionally, the front face includes a recess in the area in which the which the STEM lies, whereby the back face is stretched outwards and the front face is squashed inwards as the STEM coils up.

Optionally, the support comprises at least two posts attached to the structure and extending parallel to the strips, whereby the posts can be rolled up with the structure.

Optionally, the support includes at least one STEM that is attached to said posts

Optionally, the system includes at least one fastening to hold the structure in its rolled-up configuration, such fastenings can be for example hook and loop (Velcro), poppers or magnetic fasteners.

Optionally, the system is in the form of a temporary or permanent indoor or outdoor screen, a room divider, a door, such as a drop down door (e.g. a garage door), a window awning, a curtain or blind, a sound baffling screen, a portable partition screen, a screen in an MRI scanning room when the whole system is non-ferrous, and can optionally function as a whiteboard, a blackboard, a projection surface, a pin board and/or hook and loop board, a poster, a mirror, a solar array, a mirrored film surface, a satellite dish, a decorative panel, a photovoltaic solar array, a flexible television or monitor, e.g. an OLED TV, or an LED light or as the support structure to which other materials can be attached, e.g. to provide the above functionalities.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system comprising at least one coilable STEM that has a central axis and that is capable of being extended along an axis by uncoiling the STEM and of being retracted back along the same axis by coiling the STEM, wherein the STEM has an end that forms the leading end of the STEM when it is uncoiled, and wherein the STEM, when extended/uncoiled, has a concave side and a convex side; and a handle that is attached to the convex side of the leading end of the at least one STEM by one or more connections, whereby the coiling action of the leading end of the STEM when retracted biasses the handle towards the rest of the coiled STEM.

Optionally, the handle engages the ground when the at least one coilable STEM has been extended and thereby supports the leading end of the STEM.

Optionally, the handle is supported on at least one castor or glider foot.

Optionally, connections attaching the handle to the convex side of the leading end of the at least one STEM lie on or adjacent to the central axis of the STEM.

Optionally, the leading end of the at least one coilable STEM is clamped flat against the handle.

Optionally, the STEM, when extended has a width of 50mm to 100mm, preferably 65-85mm, more preferably about 75mm, and subtends arc of between 100 and 180 degrees, preferably about 130 degrees.

Optionally, the system includes a housing for holding the coiled portion of the at least one coilable STEM.

Optionally, the housing engages the ground, and optionally includes at least one castor or gliding feet.

Optionally, the system includes a screen attached to the at least one STEM by an attachment that allows the at least one STEM and the screen to be coiled and uncoiled together.

Optionally, the system comprises at least two STEMs that are spaced apart from each other and are extendible along parallel axes and wherein the screen is supported along opposed edges by said at least two STEMs.

Optionally, the handle, the at least two STEMs and the housing forms a rectangular frame supporting the screen.

Optionally, the at least one STEM is mounted on a spool.

Optionally, spool is biased by a spring that is configured to assist in the retraction ofthe screen.

Optionally, the leading end of the at least one STEM is attached directly to the handle at a single point, e.g. by adhesive or a mechanical fixing, for example by stitching, welding, adhesive, a rivet or an eyelet, optionally in combination with a bolt.

Optionally, the leading end of the at least one STEM is curved or angled/chamfered in shape (i.e. the end of the STEM is not orthogonal to the STEM central axis).

Optionally, the system includes a clamp that clamps the at least one STEM part of the way along its length and prevents the STEM from forming said concave and convex sides in the region of the clamp, which causes the STEM to kink in the region of the clamp.

Optionally, the system is in the form of a temporary or permanent indoor or outdoor screen, a room divider, an exhibition screen, a safety screen for lasers or x-rays or welding, a door, such as a drop down door (e.g. a garage door), a window awning, a curtain or blind, a sound baffling screen, a portable partition screen, a screen in an MRI scanning room when the whole system is non-ferrous, and can optionally function as a whiteboard, a blackboard, a projection surface, a pin board and/or hook and loop board, a poster, a mirror, a solar array, a mirrored film surface, a satellite dish, a decorative panel, a photovoltaic solar array, a flexible television or monitor, e.g. an OLED TV, or an LED light or as the support structure to which other materials can be attached, e.g. to provide the above functionalities.

Optionally, the at least one STEM is configured to be uncoiled horizontally, upwards or downwards, including obliquely upwards or downwards or curved inwards or curved backwards.

Features from one or more aspects or any optional feature thereof may be combined together.

The present disclosure may be carried out in various ways and embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 shows a basic split tube outline

FIG 2 shows an isometric diagram of a tube

FIG 3 illustrates differences in transformation between split tubes with arcs over and under 180 degrees

FIG 11 shows a basic frame of two tubes and some poles

Fig 12 shows different designs of low profile ends with different design of holes

FIG 13 shows the impact of different designs of slats on the rolled up STEM - curved rectangle, rectangle and circle

FIG 14 shows how varying the attachments of sticks to tubes can create angled profiles (2dimensional and isometric views)

FIG 15 and 16 explains the positioning of the holes in the tube and flat stick

FIG 17 shows button loops on the edge of a STEM

FIG 21 shows possible different shapes of the rigid backing material

FIG 22 shows the relationship between width, spacing and height of slats in the front face

FIG 29 shows the room-divider screen body casing empty, without the screen or handle

FIG 32 shows the room-divider screen with a casing and castors in its closed configuration

FIG 34 shows the room-divider screen with a casing and castors in its open and kinked configuration

FIG 36 shows the position of attaching to the central region of the convex side of the STEM

FIG 38 shows the structure when made from a fully slit rigid board

FIG 39 A, B & C shows methods of attaching a STEM to the structure

FIG 41 shows the structure made from independent slats secured along the central line

FIG 42 shows a frame system where STEMs attach to supports and not directly to a slit board material

FIG 43 A & B show how the rollable slit rigid board is created and show how the with the STEM on the back face forces the slits to bulge and open as the structure rolls up

FIG 44 shows the desired orientation of the STEM on the back face

FIG 45 shows a different rigid board construction where the outer sections are cut away revealing a flexible inner core that hinges

FIG 46 A, B, C show how the structure can be made more stable by preventing the STEMs from becoming straight, and adding supporting base features

FIG 47 A & B shows a handle attached to the convex side of the leading end of a STEMs along its centre line

FIG 48 shows different profiles for the leading end of the STEM

FIG 49 shows how fastenings such as hook-and-loop can be used to help control the cylindrical structure of a system

FIG 50 A & B show a configuration of the system with the STEM attached into a routed out section of the front face, when straight and when rolled up

FIG 51 shows the handle and handle base of a fixed-to-wall retractable screen without a casing

FIG 52 A shows the handle when the handle is open and the STEM is straight.

FIG 52B shows the handle when the screen is closed, and the STEM is curved, and the handle is held close to the body.

FIG 53 shows another example system in which a handle is attached.

FIG 54 A & B show the example system with the handle attached as a front and rear views

FIG 55A shows a system with the handle attached, when both screens are extended

FIG 55B shows a system with both screens extended.

FIG 57 shows the curvature of the STEM and how that creates a complex spline-shape to be cut out of an inner screen

FIG 58 shows how a clamp that holds a STEM flat creates a complex shape for an inner screen to fit into

FIG 60 shows various possible fixing locations symmetrically disposed around the axis for the STEM to handle

FIG 61 shoes a handle attached to a STEM with a straight leading edge and a chamfered leading edge, in both the open and closed configurations

FIG 62 shows the partially slit rigid board front and back faces

In an example, STEMs extending from a screen are attached to a vertical handle. The fixing is ideally by means of a single fastening through the centerline or dispersed about the centerline FIG 60, on the outside/convex of the STEM such that it allows the STEM to freely click open and shut FIG 47A and B, and FIG 61. The handle of the system could then become a simple small aluminium extrusion or rod into which one fixing was used to secure each STEM on the outside face FIG 52 A & B. Alternatively the handle could be an extruded casing but which was connected to the STEM by this simple means to create an arrangement that would look similar to that shown in FIG 58, but where the edges of the STEMs were always horizontal and where the section for the inner screen was a simple rectangle. The simple handle might be attached to a base plate and thus a very slender minimal designed arrangement would be created FIG 51. Incorporating this with a similarly simple body with minimal exposed metal is shown in FIG 51. A screen system can comprise two different systems which are attached at either the front handle (as shown in FIG 54), or the main body (as shown in FIG 55) of one of the systems, to create a doubled-up screen that can hinge in the middle. A 3m x 3m corner can be created where the angle between the two screens can change FIG 55 B.

By changing the profile of the free end of the STEM, FIG 48, the force of the click shut can be modified. A curved cut might be more aesthetically pleasing, prevent sharp edges, and will also soften the force of closing and opening the end of the STEM. This free end will be exposed and will change shape clicking shut and open. As such it may be desirable to coat this section of c-tube with a rubberised coating, such as PlastiDip™ to both protect it from fraying and also give an improved aesthetic to the exposed leading edge, without interfering with its ability to undergo the complex shape change required.

The new clamping method allows the screen element of the arrangement to have a rectangular frame in which to sit, and thus eliminate the need for complex geometries ‘splines’ to be cut out of the non-elastic material used to make the screen as shown in in FIG 58. This overcomes one of the problems identified in patent EP3251562 “Retractable screen”. FIG 57 shows the change in shape of the edge of a STEM and how that requires a spline to be cut into the screen material to make it sit without unwanted forces. These unwanted forces are often still present as the shape of the spline created under the STEM changes as the STEM is retracted. FIG 58 shows the effect of this spline shape on the screen.

FIG 43A shows how a rigid board can be partially cut on its front face to allow it to roll up. This can be created either by partially cutting the full length with a knife or routing a groove that penetrates partially through the material along the full length. Various possible shapes for routed profiles are discussed in FIG 21 and 22. If the board is not made from a very rigid material (e.g. Felt board), it can be reinforced by being attached to a light and rigid backing structure, e.g. a honeycomb polypropylene structure. Alternatively, it could be supported by being attached to more rigid supports. These supports could be attached to the STEMs and also to the board material FIG 42, as such that the board material would not need to be attached to the STEMs.

FIG 42 shows how the STEMs can be attached to a small number of more robust slats or rods that create a frame into which the other less robust slats could fit. The advantage of this is that the slats supporting the STEMs could be much more robust as they are the providing the bulk of the structural support, and possibly attaching to castors. The structure inside the frame is only providing a visual barrier, and therefore can be much less substantial. This construction could be used to house the slit board construction as shown in FIG 38, 43A and 43B. The supports could be made of wood such as Venetian blinds, aluminium or PVC extrusions such as roller shutter panels. This method creates a frame into which various rollable inners could be inserted. An advantage of this for the slit board design, is that the board would no longer need any full-depth cuts, as it would never be stretched outwards when rolling around the STEM, but instead could roll around the same plane and have the STEM roll up either side of the material.

FIG 44 shows the desired orientation of the STEM on the back-face that allows the slits to stretch and bulge open as they roll up. When securing a STEM to the back-face, the backface will still have to stretch a little to allow it to roll around the STEM. If the STEM were to be attached to the front-face, then the back-face would have to stretch a lot more, as its radius of curvature would be increased by the thickness of the panel as well as the STEM’S thickness. It is therefore normally necessary to fix the STEM to the back-face, and to allow the back-face to stretch a minimal amount as it rolls around the STEM. Some or all of the partial slits need to become full cuts, penetrating through the panel to allow the back-face to expand - similar to how a Chinese lantern works when compressed FIG 43B. The full-cuts are ideally at least the width of the flattened STEM and could extend up to the full width of the board. The longer and closer together these full cuts are the easier it will be to roll as the less the force will be exerted on them to bulge. If the full cuts are short, or non-existent then the slit board would be hard to roll up and there would be a force in the system to unroll like a spring, to become flat given the opportunity. This feature is desirable if the structure is required to be rapidly deployed - e.g. when being used as an emergency privacy screen. In such an instance the coil could be held together with a fixing such as hook-and-loop Velcro, which when removed allows the leading edge of the structure to be manually uncoiled, starting the then automatic further and full uncoiling I deployment of the structure. It might be desirable to have the STEM attached to the front face as this would provide a large flat unhindered back-face onto which for instance a whiteboard or printed display could be attached. In such an instance the front face might be routed out so that a channel is created into which the STEM could sit FIG 50 A, securing itself to the back of the back face, thus reducing the amount which the back face would have to bulge in order to roll around the STEM FIG 50 B. The other advantage of routing a channel for the STEM to be mounted into is that the roll diameter of the cylinder will be kept to a minimum as the thickness of the STEM will be hidden inside the channel FIG 50 B.

The panel board is ideally made from a material that is rigid when thick, but flexible when thin. In doing so a living hinge can be made by partially cutting it. Preferably the outer faces of the board are made from a more dense and substantial material than the inner core. This increases the second moment of area of the structure making it stiffer for a given weight, and also helps to create a hinge that is less likely to fail. E.g. foam board coated in plastic, a PET felt board that is semi rigid and has it’s outer surfaces treated or laminated, or a wood veneer that once cut could roll up, cardboard with a honeycomb structure etc. One desirable material to use is PET felt board which also has the benefit of being sound absorbent, aesthetically pleasing, printable, easy to laminate and easy to machine and cut. There are many such materials available, such as Cube™, Symphony™ and Composition™ from Autex, or PolySorber - a Fire Resistant PET printable Acoustic Panel from Tech Materials. These acoustic panel sheets are self-supporting boards that can easily be cut and routed. These materials can be laminated to create layers that benefit the rolling up and rigid supports can be added and hidden in routed groves to create the ideal board construction. Another desirable material is PVC rigid or laminated board. The uncut back face I skin acts as a hinge when the front face I skin and core are cut or routed. One material that lends itself to this is Sealwise™. Sealwise is a homogeneous material with a foam core made of closed cell PVCU and a surface of solid PVC material. Sealwise is non-toxic, Formaldehyde free, non-porous and can be used and processed using the same methods as panel products - yet offers better blade life. However, having similar characteristics, comparable density and weight to MDF, it can be processed using the same techniques. It can be machined, cut, CNC’d, routed, profiled and edged identically to MDF. It is 100% waterproof making it hygienic and suitable for tough environments internally and externally. Some materials are inherently ‘fluted’, such as corrugated cardboard, ‘fluted polypropylene’ CORREX™ and some wood laminates. These lend themselves to being partially slit along the grain to pierce the front face (top layer of skin) and not the back face (bottom layer of skin). The material then easily naturally hinges about the back face. Other materials that work well are honeycomb-cored cardboard and polypropylene structures where the back-face provides the hinge, and the core and top layer provide the structure. Alternatively, there are materials similar to the plastic cored Aluminium faced sheet, commonly known as Dibond®, but where Dibond has a rigid core, these materials have a flexible inner core, see FIG 45. By routing away the Aluminium either side of this flexible core, a hinge can be created in the otherwise rigid material. FIG 45 is a different construction, where the outer faces are rigid and the inner face is flexible. By slitting the inner flexible core in a fashion similar to that described in this patent, the hinged flexible Dibond material can be made to roll up and bulge unhindered around a STEM

If cut and routed in the methods described above and combined with supporting rods and stable bases as described in this patent, various interesting and useful roll-up structures could be created without needing STEMs for support. To replace the function of the STEM in the extended state, other methods of reinforcing the extended structure could be used, such as rigid or telescopic members being secured along the length. If however the structure is inherently rigid enough on its own, this might not be necessary. An advantage of not using STEMs, other than the cost saving, would be that the extended structure could flex into an ‘S’ shape, as STEMs only kink in one direction (like one’s elbow). To replace the function of the STEM in its coiled up state, other methods of securing the cylinder to remain closed could be used, such as magnets or hook and loop fastenings between the inner and outer faces of the rolled structure. A structure as described in this patent, using the same principles but without STEMs is therefore possible.

Either the slatted structure FIG 41, or the slit board structure FIG 38/43 could create a reinforcement support framework for a rollable material to be attached to the back-face. One example is a flexible dry-wipe writable surface which once stuck onto the back-face would create a rollable whiteboard. Alternatively, a display could be fixed onto the back-face to create a rollout display for exhibitions or advertising. The front-face could be printed directly onto or could be coated in a stretchable fabric and the structure could be used as a flexible room partition. Flexible solar panels could be secured onto the back face to create deployable solar cells that for instance could be retracted during bad weather. Other technical applications are OLED flexible TVs and deployable antenna. The structure could be used to support concrete fabric such as Concrete Canvas™ and sprayed with water to create a concrete wall. Multiple structures could be attached together e.g. using zips/Velcro™/poppers etc. to create deployable structures for use in emergency shelters where large open pan rooms are often required to be reconfigured regularly to give privacy to the refugee inhabitants.

FIGS 46A,B and C show how any of the STEM-structures mentioned in this patent can be made more stable by preventing the STEM from becoming completely straight along its full length, leaving the structure lying in one plane making it unstable and susceptible to falling over. If the STEM is secured to the structure along its centre line then it is free to roll up and unroll. If however the STEM is secured to the structure off its centre line, and ideally with two fixings one well above and one well below the centre line, near to the edges of the STEM, then it cannot transform into the straight I extended orientation (2) and is forced to remain in the coiled orientation (1). If this is done at both ends then the structure will have a curved feature at both ends to provide some extra stability FIG 46C. If done in the middle of the structure then it will form a kink at that point giving it even more stability FIG 46C. By adding castors and/or bases to the supports, a simple stable structure can be created FIG 46B. Another way to help improve the stability of a STEM-structure is to make STEMs that when retracted are not straight but bowed. By altering the recipe of the STEM, it can be made to bow back on itself or in on itself. This banana shape where the STEM is curved inwards or outwards would create a more stable structure but would also create more aesthetically pleasing screens such as for exhibition backdrops/booths where curved walls are often used.

In an embodiment a sheet of waterproof board material such as fluted polypropylene, CORREX™ or Sealwise™, is partically slit on the outside-face every 1-10cm. These slits go all the way through to the back-face only behind where the STEMs are attached. These full cuts can be at minimum the width of the STEM (currently 150mm) and maximum the full length of the flute (eg height of the board) but leaving a section that is not fully cut area at the top and bottom so that the structure doesn’t completely separate into individual slats. The ideal CORREX™ material for this is about 5mm-10mm thick and the ideal Sealwise™ board is 36mm thick. The STEM is either sewn along the centreline or attached to the structure by means of mechanical fasteners or rivets every 5-50cm. The structure is 1-3m high, and 2-5m wide. Two STEMs are used, running along the width. Positioned 200-500mm from the edge. The final structure is a lightweight, weatherproof, deployable wall which when printed can be used as an advertising banner e.g. for outdoor exhibitions, or can be used as an emergency privacy screen e.g. for emergency services. STEMs are made of polypropylene, so this structure is completely recyclable except for the fixings which could be plastic. It is possible to apply a polypropylene felt layer to the CORREX™ during its manufacture thus creating a softfinished version of the arrangement in a cost efficient manner. The structure could be coated with an aesthetic and acoustically performing fabric on both faces, as could the STEM, to create a soft furnishing, sound absorbing room partition in offices, private work areas etc. Extra functionality can be added by incorporating magnetic or dry wipe and or projection surfaces. The structure is lightweight and rigid and can therefore be lifted and fitted to castors, to make it more easily portable. Multiple of these systems can be attached to one another to create a continuous wall - by means of magnets, zips or Velcro along the leading edges as shown by element (57) in FIG 49. Castors can be fixed to the structure in a minimum number of places to allow for stability without needing to support the span of the structure, because that ability is inherent in the design of the structure that is self-supporting. Ideally the wheels would go underneath the extremes of the curvature at the left and right ends as described in FIG 46C, and another one or two would be off centre along the body to prevent it from toppling backwards FIG 46B. Without the castors the structure as the advantage that it can be used either way round (upside down).

Another embodiment of any of the structures described, can be in a vertical I drop down orientation (e.g. a garage door), or pull up orientation (a vertical wall or OLED TV) or a pull out horizontal orientation (window awning I deployable acoustic roof). The drop down orientation screen could be used to create super-wide curtains, displays, sound baffling screens, that are celling mounted or that rise up from the floor. The awning structure could create self-supported blinds that require less infrastructure and are less likely to degrade due to the weather as they will inherently be a rigid structure instead of a tightly taught fabric (as is the case with standard super-wide awnings).

The structure could be further improved by the addition of a sprung core and a spinning bottom plate that is configured to support the system when wound on the spool, this would reduce the friction and assist in winding up FIG 29. This would mean that the user would not have to manually unroll and roll up the structure, but instead could pull and push on a handle which would unravel the structure. The handle could be the section with the spool in it, or it could be the loose end. The rotor core could be assisted with a mechanical or an electrical spring.

It might be desirable to roll the structure in from both ends, thus creating two cylindrical rolls that meet in the middle. This might be because the Outer Diameter of the full cylinder might be too large for the STEMs or because it is unwieldly to use. A structure could be created whereby the two cylinders meet along the same face (giving it a C-shape as shown in FIG 46B). However if the STEM were to be cut and turned around a structure where the cylinders meet back to back could be created, giving an S-shaped structure, which would be more stable as the ends would be curving in opposing directions. This also means that the structure could be kinked in both orientations as the top of the S bends in a different direction to the bottom. In any of the orientations mentioned above the structure could be designed so that the free ends can be attached to each other - thus creating a linked structure that can create a multitude of shapes, eg for reconfiguring a large open plan space into different flexibly designed zoned areas.

An embodiment is an acoustic felt board that is cut to create a roll up room divider - with added functionality of a white board, a projector surface, a pin board and/or hook and loop board. Or from the same design concept, using lower cost and weatherproof Correx™ fluted polypropylene or grooved Sealwise™ board any other rigid material that is similarly cut to create the outdoor, weatherproof partition structure.

If the full cuts (43) in the board material were to extend the full length of the material then independent slats (40) would be created FIG 38. A similar structure could be one where these slats (40) are not abutting each other but are spaced out, FIG 41. The slats shown in FIG 41 are ideally lightweight and ridged, and thin, e.g. wood slats found in Venetian blinds. To add structure to the back of the slats they could be attached onto a film material such as polyester film or an adhesive vinyl or felt. This would create a roll up mat. STEMs (or another supporting material) can be added to this structure either continuously e.g. by sewing along the centre line through the STEM and into the slats and or the backing film, or the STEMs could be attached to the structure non-continuously such as rivets or eyelets spaced along the STEM and connecting to some or all of the slats FIG 39. These various methods of attachment are also valid for the rigid board method FIG 38. The non-continuous methods such as eyelets, may require very few fixings but ideally at least one fixing every meter. The orientation of the slats, film, and STEM is important, as the structure needs to allow the STEM to roll up freely.

FIG 11 shows a basic frame of two tubes (3) and a plurality of poles. In this embodiment, two or more tubes (3) can be connected to each other to achieve advantages as described above. The poles comprise a resilient central section (24) and thinner flatter sections at each end (sticks 23) that interact with the split tubes (3). The sticks (23) can extend beyond the open face of the tube (3), or can be positioned to rest against one of the inside faces. A ladder-type structure for example can be constructed by extending two tubes and then attaching rigid elements perpendicular to them.

FIG 12 shows different designs of low profile ends with different design of holes. Rigid poles (24) can attach to tubes (3) directly or, to help reduce the impact on the OD of the tube (3), a low profile section called a flat stick (23) can be connected to the pole (24) that is wide enough to allow the tube (3) to flatten over its surface. There are various methods of connecting a pole (24) and a flat stick (23) - some examples are shown in FIG 12. The flat stick (23) can be any low profile shape however a flat face, generally rectangular in section - preferably a curved rectangular section so as to match the arc of the rolled up tube (2), is the most preferred profile to work with as the width of the stick (23) is of much less consequence to the OD than the thickness. See FIG 13.

The flat stick (23) can be attached to the tube (3) in a number of ways. The preferred method is by means of an inelastic string or wire (21) that has a small diameter (such as fishing wire). This string could simply wrap around the outside of the stick (23) and the tube to secure the two together. This simple to assemble method would however provide limited support along the line of the pole (24) (i.e. the pole could slide out). Having four holes in each element through which to thread the wire (21) for attachment prevents the pole (24) from moving laterally, transversely and rotationally relative to the tube (3), and thus provides the most secure fitting.

The tightness by which the tube (3) is held against the stick (23) can be controlled by the positioning of the holes through which the wire (21) is threaded in the tube (3) and the stick (23), and this can create a pre-specified kinked shape.

FIG 15 & 16 show the mechanics behind the positioning of the holes in the tube (3) and flat stick (23).

FIG 15 shows how the holes can be positioned to give a loose fitting when the tube is flat (rolled up) (1) and a tight fitting when the tube is curved (extended) (2).

FIG 16 shows how the holes can be positioned to give a tight fitting when the tube is flat (rolled up) (1) and a loose fitting when the tube is curved (extended) (2).

Altering the position of the holes on the stick (23) and or the tube (3) can adjust this effect, creating a mixture of the two to achieve the desired effect for the specific application.

Other forms of attachment include adhesion or mechanical fixing of one edge of the split tube (3) to the stick (23), wrapping fabric around the stick (23) and the tube (3), attaching flaps with hinged eyelets (25) to the edges of the tube (3) through which a stick (23) could be inserted these hinged eyelets (25) could simply be loops of thread similar to a button fastening on the back of a dress. See FIG 17 illustrating button loops (25) on the edge of split tube (6).

The following is a list of the reference numerals shown in the drawings.

1. rolled up tube

2. extended tube

3. split tube STEM

6. longitudinal edge of split tube

7. centre line of split tube

14. Kink in split tube

21. Inelastic string or wire

25. Button Loops

34. protective edging solution along the edge of the sandwich

35. thrust bearing spinning disc

36. casing of the body retaining the rolled up material screen

37. smooth protective surface

38. front handle of the system

39. attachable surface

40. Rigid slats

41. Solid board material

42. Partial slit cuts

43. Full through slit cuts

44. budging slits effect

45. sew thread along Centre line of STEM

46. holes for fixtures

47. Back face

48. Front face

49. Flexible inner

50. Rolled up tube end effect on material

51. Flat material

52. Rolled up material

53. Foot extension

54. Holes for fixtures on Centre line of STEM

55. Leading edge of STEM

56. Velcro hook

57. Velcro loop

58. V- cuts open for flat

59. V-cuts closed for curvature

60. Routed feature to house STEM

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a retractable panel structure, for example a screen/wall/divider/partition that can be rolled up and that can be unrolled, wherein the planar structure comprises a back face and a front face that are spaced-apart from each other and wherein the front face is at least partly formed of an array of strips that are separate from each other and that move apart to allow the panel structure to be rolled up and wherein the back face forms hinges that connect the strips together and that are capable of flexing to allow the said strips to move apart when the sheet is rolled up.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the sheet is unrolled, the strips of each pair of adjacent strips abut against each other or are separated by a space that is less than or equal to twice the width of the wider of the strips.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when the sheet is unrolled, adjacent strips abut against each other or are separated by a space that is less than or equal to the width of the wider of the pair of adjacent strips.

4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is formed of a front face sheet and a back face sheet and cells or a less dense material spacing the face sheets apart.

5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strips are formed by scoring or severing or routing the front face.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure has a thickness of 0.1 to 25mm, e.g. 1 to 15mm, such as 3 to 10mm.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strips each have a width of 0.5 to 100mm, e.g. 1 to 50mm, such as 2 to 5mm or 10 to 40mm.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the space between each pair of adjacent strips is generally less than or equal to 100mm, e.g. less than or equal to 50mm such as less than or equal to 10mm.

9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim which includes a support that is configured to support the structure in its unrolled configuration.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support comprises at least one STEM that is capable of being extended along an axis by uncoiling the STEM and of being retracted back along the same axis by coiling the STEM, and wherein the structure is supported on the at least one STEM by an attachment that causes the structure to be rolled-up and unrolled as the at least one STEM is coiled and uncoiled.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one STEM is located adjacent to the back face of the structure, and optionally is attached to the back face.

12. A system as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the at least one STEM is located adjacent to a region of the back face of the structure and wherein the back face includes slits in the said region that are in line with the separation between the strips in the front face to allow the back face to expand in the said region when the STEM and the structure are coiled together while at least one other region of the structure forms the said hinges about which the strips can flex when the STEM and the structure are coiled together.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the at least one STEM, when extended, has a concave side and a convex side and wherein the structure is attached to the central region of the convex side of the STEM, e.g. to the central axis of the STEM or to the region adjacent to the central axis, for example by adhesive, welding, stitches, rivets, eyelets or by a breakable attachment such as a hook-and-loop connection.

14. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the support comprises at least two STEMs that are spaced apart from each other and are extendible along parallel axes and wherein the structure is supported by said at least two STEMs.

15. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the STEM is configured to be uncoiled horizontally, upwards or downwards, including obliquely upwards or downwards or curved inwards or outwards.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the support includes a housing supporting the at least one STEM, a rotatable spool within the housing and wherein the structure can be rolled up on the spool.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the spool includes a bottom plate that is configured to support the structure when wound on the spool.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 which includes a spring acting on the spool to assist in the rolling up of the structure.

19. A system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the support includes a handle supporting an end of the at least one STEM remote from the housing.

20. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the front face includes a recess in the area in which the which the STEM lies, whereby the back face is stretched outwards and the front face is squashed inwards as the STEM coils up.

21. A system as claimed in claim 9 to 15, wherein the support comprises at least two posts attached to the structure and extending parallel to the strips, whereby the posts can be rolled up with the structure.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the support includes at least one STEM that is attached to said posts

23. A system as claimed in any preceding claim which includes at least one fastening to hold the structure in its rolled-up configuration, such fastenings can be for example hook and loop (Velcro), poppers or magnetic fasteners.

24. A system as claimed in any preceding claim that is in the form of a temporary or permanent indoor or outdoor screen, a room divider, a door, such as a drop down door (e.g. a garage door), a window awning, a curtain or blind, a sound baffling screen, a portable partition screen, a screen in an MRI scanning room when the whole system is non-ferrous, and can optionally function as a whiteboard, a blackboard, a projection surface, a pin board and/or hook and loop board, a poster, a mirror, a solar array, a mirrored film surface, a satellite dish, a decorative panel, a photovoltaic solar array, a flexible television or monitor, e.g. an OLED TV, or an LED light or as the support structure to which other materials can be attached, e.g. to provide the above functionalities.

25. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system comprising at least one coilable STEM that has a central axis and that is capable of being extended along an axis by uncoiling the STEM and of being retracted back along the same axis by coiling the STEM, wherein the STEM has an end that forms the leading end of the STEM when it is uncoiled, and wherein the STEM, when extended/uncoiled, has a concave side and a convex side; and a handle that is attached to the convex side of the leading end of the at least one STEM by one or more connections, whereby the coiling action of the leading end of the STEM when retracted biasses the handle towards the rest of the coiled STEM.

26. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle engages the ground when the at least one coilable STEM has been extended and thereby supports the leading end of the STEM.

27. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handle is supported on at least one castor or glider foot.

28. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein connections attaching the handle to the convex side of the leading end of the at least one STEM lie on or adjacent to the central axis of the STEM.

29. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the leading end of the at least one coilable STEM is clamped flat against the handle.

30. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the STEM, when extended has a width of 50mm to 100mm, preferably 65-85mm, more preferably about 75mm, and subtends arc of between 100 and 180 degrees, preferably about 130 degrees.

31. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a housing for holding the coiled portion of the at least one coilable STEM.

32. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing engages the ground, and optionally includes at least one castor or gliding feet.

33. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a screen attached to the at least one STEM by an attachment that allows the at least one STEM and the screen to be coiled and uncoiled together.

34. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in claim 9, which comprises at least two STEMs that are spaced apart from each other and are extendible along parallel axes and wherein the screen is supported along opposed edges by said at least two STEMs.

35. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in a combination of any one of claims 7 or 8 with both claim 9 and claim 10, wherein the handle, the at least two STEMs and the housing forms a rectangular frame supporting the screen.

36. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one STEM is mounted on a spool.

37. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in claim, 12 wherein the spool is biased by a spring that is configured to assist in the retraction of the screen.

38. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the leading end of the at least one STEM is attached directly to the handle at a single point, e.g. by adhesive or a mechanical fixing, for example by stitching, welding, adhesive, a rivet or an eyelet, optionally in combination with a bolt.

39. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the leading end of the at least one STEM is curved or angled/chamfered in shape (i.e. the end of the STEM is not orthogonal to the STEM central axis).

40. A Split Tube Extendable Member (STEM) system as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a clamp that clamps the at least one STEM part of the way along its length and prevents the STEM from forming said concave and convex sides in the region of the clamp, which causes the STEM to kink in the region of the clamp.

41. A system as claimed in any preceding claim that is in the form of a temporary or permanent indoor or outdoor screen, a room divider, an exhibition screen, a safety screen for lasers or x-rays or welding, a door, such as a drop down door (e.g. a garage door), a window awning, a curtain or blind, a sound baffling screen, a portable partition screen, a screen in an MRI scanning room when the whole system is non-ferrous, and can optionally function as a whiteboard, a blackboard, a projection surface, a pin board and/or hook and loop board, a poster, a mirror, a solar array, a mirrored film surface, a satellite dish, a decorative panel, a photovoltaic solar array, a flexible television or monitor, e.g. an OLED TV, or an LED light or as the support structure to which other materials can be attached, e.g. to provide the above functionalities.

42. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one STEM is configured to be uncoiled horizontally, upwards or downwards, including obliquely upwards or downwards or curved inwards or curved backwards